There is no point in voting good BN candidates (if there is such a thing). You will see that there are good BN MPs/reps in UMNO/MCA/MIC etc. Politicians with a bit of spine and some principles. But what’s the point of voting them when they are overpowered by the hoolligans within their parties?

Good people join BN to change and improve the system, from within. They stand up for the people and are shot down by the party and system. Why waste your votes on them then if they are powerless? You want some proofs? Well I give you proofs :

1. S. Sothinathan, MIC (Telok Kemang), was suspended from his deputy minister’s position in 2006 for criticising the government policy on the recognition of foreign medical degrees. He felt that the many of the students at the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) in Ukraine, which woudl be derecognised, were Indians and because of this, being a BN component party, the MIC is duty-bound to protect their interest.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqGRMvi91yw

2. Loh Seng Kok, MCA (Kelana Jaya), complained in Parliament about ‘imbalanced’ history textbooks, new prayer recital guidelines and the problems faced by non-Muslims with regards to places of worship. Six days later, some 50 Umno Youth members, led by Kelana Jaya division chief Abdul Halim Samad, paid him a visit late at night to deliver a “warning letter”. (He has been dropped from this 2008 election, so much of MCA for dropping a good MP)

3. Shahrir Samad, UMNO’s conscience, supported an opposition motion (to censure the one eyed Jasin MP), did not receive support from his fellow government backbenchers to condemn the corruption within his own party.

4. Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat), two BN state assemblymen in Penang abstained from a vote on the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) in 2002. The controversial PORR was proposed by the BN government and vehemently opposed by the opposition. Both were meted “disciplinary action” for not supporting the government, even though they thought that the project would not best serve the interest of Penang.

5. K. Devamany of MIC (Cameron Highlands) had said the fact that 50,000 people showed up at the Nov 25 2007 Hindraf protest showed the Government’s failure in distributing wealth equally. Trying to highlight the seriousness of this issue, he was strongly condemned by his BN colleagues.

6. Zaid Ibrahim, UMNO’s conscience, has been dropped from this 2008 election. This former Kota Bharu MP was one of the first UMNO politicians to publicly demand the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry into the Linggam tape. This same man has been very public and vocal about the rotting state of the judiciary and rule of law. Zaid also led a campaign to reelect Shahrir Samad, fellow UMNO conscience, as the backbencher’s club chairperson after the one eyed MP incident. He didn’t succeed.http://www.bakrimusa.com/archives/a-gemstone-among-pebbles

These BN politicians are fighting for the people, and they are being defeated by their own party. If they can’t criticise the government, they can’t stand up for you.

1. Shahrizat Jalil, Women, Family and Community Minister of UMNO (Lembah Pantai), on the passing of the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2005 which undermines the status of Muslim women and the family institution said this first:

The uproar over this issue is symptomatic of the real problems affecting Muslim women in the country. Let this be a lesson to all concerned to not trivialise issues involving the rights of women. (Dec 23, 2005)

She then went on to say that her ministry had earlier objected to almost all the clauses of the Bill, which discriminated against women (Dec 25, 2005).

The action against Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat) was good enough to serve as a reminder to the rest of the backbenchers.– BN secretary-general, Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, MGG Pillai 6 January 2003http://www.mggpillai.com/article.php3?sid=1580

[On an objection by a leading backbencher] He may disagree, but at the end of the day it is the Whip’s decision. – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, New Straits Times 14 January 2005http://www.suaram.net/display_article.asp?ID=454

I was merely trying to help the Barisan retain voters’ confidence by bringing up the issue at the state assembly. And I certainly did not go against the Barisan. I love Barisan and was merely trying to help it retain its voters’ confidence. – Tan Cheng Liang, Jawi ADUN, FAC News 27 November 2002http://www.freeanwar.net/june2002/facnews271102a.htm

I urge MPs, particularly from Barisan Nasional, to support the amendments to the two water bills in the interests of the people and country. The Barisan Nasional leadership should remove the whip and allow BN MPs to speak and vote according to their conscience.– Opposition Leader, Lim Kit Siang 30 April 2006http://blog.limkitsiang.com/?p=480